Moves are afoot to assess the extent of NHS dental provision in Copeland – after the closure of a practice left many residents with nowhere to go.
Healthwatch Cumbria is hoping to hear from anyone who is not registered with a dentist, following the continued impact of Cleator Moor Dental Practice’s shut-down in 2016.
This left only about 70 per cent of its patients with alternative provision at practices between four and 30 miles away, according the organisation that champions patient interests.
At the time Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, now part of the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said it was a “difficult decision" but said it was due to the retirement of two dentists and a third giving in her notice.
Speaking in 2016, Stephen Jones, the trust’s clinical director said: “For 18 months we have made vigorous attempts to recruit additional dentists to the practice which have unfortunately proved unsuccessful.”
The organisation also claims that Copeland continues to face a shortfall of places despite the area having significantly higher average rates of tooth decay in small children.
Kate Rees, Healthwatch Cumbria engagement officer said: “We are looking to hear from people who have struggled to get NHS dental treatment because they are not on a dental practice list of patients.
“We also want to speak to people who have had to travel many miles to visit an NHS dentist because they are unable to register with one near where they live.
“We need people to come forward and tell us their experiences. Real people’s accounts will make those who commission NHS services and shape policy realise how bad the situation is for people in Copeland.
“It is important to emphasise that we are looking to speak to people who do not have an NHS dentist, not people who have been unable to get dental treatment because of the pandemic.”
The organisation is looking to “come up with a solution, bringing representatives together from the public, health professionals and the University of Central Lancashire for sustainable dental provision in West Cumbria.”
For the confidential questionnaire go to: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/westcumbriadentalproject
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